Author Archives: David McKee

About David McKee

Bio

Culinary boycotts beer; Wynn stock upgraded on Macao strength

Posted on August 15, 2017 by David McKee

Along with Organizing Beyond Barriers, the Culinary Union is calling upon Trader Joe’s to stop carrying Gordon Biersch beer labels Josephsbrau, Black Toad Ale, and Stockyard Oatmeal Stout. Why? Because the “principals are Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, controlling owners of the Las … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Culinary Union, Donald Trump, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Lucky Dragon, Macau, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Politics, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip, Tilman Fertitta, Tropicana Entertainment, Trump Entertainment Resorts, Wall Street | Comments Off on Culinary boycotts beer; Wynn stock upgraded on Macao strength

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 15, 2017 by David McKee

“Mr. President — we must call evil by its name. These were white supremacists and this was domestic terrorism.” — Sen. Cory Gardner (R) on the tragic events in Charlottesville.

Posted in Colorado, Current, Donald Trump | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Cuomo’s experiment disappoints; Caesars sweet on Japan

Posted on August 14, 2017 by David McKee

Whatever marketing studies drove the conclusion that upper New York State was ripe for gambling expansion have proven to be have been seriously off the mark. Gov. Andrew Cuomo‘s three-casino addition to upstate gaming options are disappointing Albany with their … Continue reading →

Posted in Cordish Co., Genting, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, Japan, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, New York, Pennsylvania, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Taxes, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Vietnam | 1 Comment

#5,001

Posted on August 14, 2017 by David McKee

Yes, this is the 5,001st Stiffs & Georges post and let me start with a big  thank-you to all of you, the readers, for making it possible. If it weren’t for your support I’d probably have hung it up long … Continue reading →

Posted in Alabama, Atlantic City, Donald Trump, Georgia, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, James Packer, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Politics, Regulation, Sam Nazarian, Seminole Tribe, Sheldon Adelson, SLS Las Vegas, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, The Strip | 5 Comments

Freeman hearts Atlantic City; Big win for Martinez

Posted on August 11, 2017 by David McKee

American Gaming Association President Geoff Freeman gave Atlantic City the thumbs-up this week, pointing to the reinvention of Trump Taj Mahal as Hard Rock Atlantic City and to the as-yet-undisclosed joint venture between Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Bally Technologies, Detroit, Dining, e-sports, Eldorado Resorts, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Internet gambling, Isle of Capri, MGM Mirage, Politics, Revel, Seminole Tribe, Taxes, Tribal | Comments Off on Freeman hearts Atlantic City; Big win for Martinez

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 11, 2017 by David McKee

“The two things we have to really ensure to keep going with these clubs is that poker is taking place in a private place and that other than of skill or luck there is no economic benefit to anybody. That … Continue reading →

Posted in Regulation, Texas | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Smoke in their eyes; Trump in Macao a “long shot”

Posted on August 11, 2017 by David McKee

Casinos in Baton Rouge are going to have to stub out those cigarettes and get ready for a smoke-free existence. The Metropolitan Council of the City of Baton Rouge & Parish of East Baton Rouge voted to approve an ordinance banning smoking … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Donald Trump, Eldorado Resorts, Environment, GLPI, Harrah's, Isle of Capri, Macau, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle Entertainment, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Smoke in their eyes; Trump in Macao a “long shot”

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 10, 2017 by David McKee

“I hate Vegas. I think it’s dirty and there’s no upside for our business.” — Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) dissing Sin City on Empire. It’s ironic that someone as depraved as Lyon would be put off by Las Vegas. Of … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, TV | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

House of Bamboo; Adelson beats The Street

Posted on August 9, 2017 by David McKee

It seems frivolous to be discussing casinos when the Korean peninsula could go up in radioactive flames at any moment, but we do what we must. While legalizing casinos in Japan was a slow and agonizing process, they could fade … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, GameCO, Genting, Georgia, Harrah's, Horseracing, International, Internet gambling, Japan, Macau, MGM Mirage, Pennsylvania, Politics, Problem gambling, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Technology, The Strip, Wall Street | Comments Off on House of Bamboo; Adelson beats The Street

Station’s “weakness” a strength; Ohio bucks the odds

Posted on August 9, 2017 by David McKee

Looking back at Station Casinos’ 2Q17 results, Deutsche Bank analyst Carlo Santarelli noted that the picture was clouded by construction activity at Palace Station and the Palms. But, while short-term investors would likely have their patience tested, he wrote, “we think long … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Boyd Gaming, Dan Gilbert, Dan Lee, Economy, Eldorado Resorts, Full House Resorts, GLPI, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Indiana, Majestic Star, Ohio, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, Racinos, Station Casinos, Tropicana Entertainment, Wall Street | Comments Off on Station’s “weakness” a strength; Ohio bucks the odds

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 9, 2017 by David McKee

“Merchants and entrepreneurs, thriving under the protection of the ruling party, are encouraging a building boom in Pyongyang, and there are more cars in the capital than ever before.” — the New York Times, on the apparent threat of economic … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, International | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Trump’s Macao gambit; WPT goes to Japan

Posted on August 8, 2017 by David McKee

Donald Trump‘s policy toward China may be fairly unevolved at this stage, unless you count the agglomeration of additional trademarks in Macao. Technically speaking, the trademarks are registered to DTTM Operations (itself co-registered to The Donald), which operates from within … Continue reading →

Posted in Donald Trump, Harrah's, Japan, Macau, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Sociedade de Jogos de Macau, Stanley Ho, Steve Wynn, World Series of Poker | Comments Off on Trump’s Macao gambit; WPT goes to Japan

Slippage in Illinois; MGM carries Maryland

Posted on August 7, 2017 by David McKee

One less weekend day than last year proved costly for casinos in Illinois, where gaming revenue fell 2.5% in July. (It had been flat in 2016.) True, the creeping effect of slot routes may have played a role but speculation … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Cordish Co., GLPI, Golden Gaming, Harrah's, Illinois, Maryland, MGM Mirage, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Racinos, The Strip, Tourism, West Virginia | Comments Off on Slippage in Illinois; MGM carries Maryland

Legal weed a casino buzzkill; Caesars’ Australian pact nixed

Posted on August 7, 2017 by David McKee

In the casino biz, “pot” is now something other than what you put your poker bets into. It’s a source of money that’s not welcome at Ye Olde Casino (and you thought gambling moguls didn’t care where you got your … Continue reading →

Posted in Arizona, Atlantic City, Australia, Economy, Environment, Florida, Geoff Freeman, Glenn Straub, Hard Rock International, Harrah's, Law enforcement, Regulation, Revel, Seminole Tribe, Tribal | Comments Off on Legal weed a casino buzzkill; Caesars’ Australian pact nixed

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 7, 2017 by David McKee

“I loved my previous life. I had so many things going. This is more work than in my previous life. I thought it would be easier.” — Donald Trump, on the burdens of the presidency.

Posted in Donald Trump | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Case bets

Posted on August 4, 2017 by David McKee

After loudly proclaiming that it wasn’t going down the Internet– gambling path, MGM Resorts International has quietly reversed field and is opening a New Jersey Web site called playMGM. (To be fair, the company also inherited a flourishing ‘Net-bet operation … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, Columbia Sussex, Florida, Genting, Internet gambling, Lawrence Ho, Macau, Melco Crown Entertainment, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, New York, Racinos, Regulation | Comments Off on Case bets

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 4, 2017 by David McKee

“I’ve changed my mission from making New Jersey the Silicon Valley of Internet gaming to the mecca of Internet gaming.” — state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D), author of a bill that would remove the requirement that the state’s online-gaming servers … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Internet gambling, Politics | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Mickey Mouse comes to Sin City; Unrest at MGM

Posted on August 3, 2017 by David McKee

Locals might cringe every time the “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” cliché is trotted out — in part because what happens there usually finds its way to YouTube within hours, if not minutes. However, the staying power of … Continue reading →

Posted in Cosmopolitan, Culinary Union, e-sports, Economy, history, LVCVA, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Taxes, The Strip, Transportation | Comments Off on Mickey Mouse comes to Sin City; Unrest at MGM

Dover downer; Connecticut rewrites the rules

Posted on August 2, 2017 by David McKee

Expect another request for tax cuts from Dover Downs after the Delaware racino posted a 96% decrease in second-quarter profits. (Slots are taxed at a usurious 43%.) While Dover Downs made $32,000, it suffered a 7% decline in casino revenues. … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic City, Cordish Co., Delaware, Foxwoods, GameCO, Greenwood Racing, Harrah's, International, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mohegan Sun, Pennsylvania, Politics, Racinos, Regulation, Taxes, Technology, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on August 2, 2017 by David McKee

“The suburban casino smells like vanilla. Trust us, it does. And not some lowbrow, bodega-incense vanilla, either. It smells like a Diptyque candle or fancy shampoo. Like vanille, sourced from some formerly colonized nation. Like rich people. If you do not come … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Entertainment, Maryland, MGM Mirage | Comments Off on Quote of the Day